Pelecyphora - Revision history

Badmin at 08:56, 18 April 2026

2026-04-18T08:56:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:56, 18 April 2026
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	\| name = Pelecyphora		\| name = Pelecyphora
	\| image = Pelecyphora_aselliformis.jpg		\| image = Pelecyphora_aselliformis.jpg
	\| image_caption = ''Pelecyphora aselliformis''		\| image_caption = ''[[Pelecyphora aselliformis]]''
	\| kingdom = Plantae		\| kingdom = Plantae
	\| phylum = Tracheophyta		\| phylum = Tracheophyta
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	== Taxonomy ==		== Taxonomy ==
	Recent molecular and morphological studies ~~(Aquino & Sánchez, 2022)~~ support a broad circumscription of ''Pelecyphora'', including the former genus ''Escobaria'' ~~and allied taxa~~.		Recent molecular and morphological studies support a broad circumscription of ''Pelecyphora'', including the former genus ''Escobaria''.

	This expanded concept results in approximately 20 species and multiple subspecies.		This expanded concept results in approximately 20 species and multiple subspecies, although this treatment is not universally accepted.

	~~This~~ treatment is not universally accepted~~, and some authors continue to recognize ''Escobaria'' as a separate genus~~.

	== Synonyms ==		== Synonyms ==
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	The genus ''Pelecyphora'' currently includes:		The genus ''Pelecyphora'' currently includes:

	* ''Pelecyphora abdita''		* [[Pelecyphora abdita]]
	** ''Pelecyphora abdita'' subsp. ''tenuispina''		** [[Pelecyphora abdita subsp. tenuispina]]

	* ''Pelecyphora alversonii''		* [[Pelecyphora alversonii]]

	* ''Pelecyphora aselliformis''		* [[Pelecyphora aselliformis]]

	* ''Pelecyphora chihuahuensis''		* [[Pelecyphora chihuahuensis]]
	** ''Pelecyphora chihuahuensis'' subsp. ''henricksonii''		** [[Pelecyphora chihuahuensis subsp. henricksonii]]

	* ''Pelecyphora cubensis''		* [[Pelecyphora cubensis]]

	* ''Pelecyphora dasyacantha''		* [[Pelecyphora dasyacantha]]
	** ''Pelecyphora dasyacantha'' subsp. ''chaffeyi''		** [[Pelecyphora dasyacantha subsp. chaffeyi]]

	* ''Pelecyphora duncanii''		* [[Pelecyphora duncanii]]

	* ''Pelecyphora emskoetteriana''		* [[Pelecyphora emskoetteriana]]

	* ''Pelecyphora hesteri''		* [[Pelecyphora hesteri]]
	** ''Pelecyphora hesteri'' subsp. ''grata''		** [[Pelecyphora hesteri subsp. grata]]

	* ''Pelecyphora laredoi''		* [[Pelecyphora laredoi]]

	* ''Pelecyphora lloydii''		* [[Pelecyphora lloydii]]

	* ''Pelecyphora macromeris''		* [[Pelecyphora macromeris]]
	** ''Pelecyphora macromeris'' subsp. ''runyonii''		** [[Pelecyphora macromeris subsp. runyonii]]

	* ''Pelecyphora minima''		* [[Pelecyphora minima]]

	* ''Pelecyphora missouriensis''		* [[Pelecyphora missouriensis]]
	** ''Pelecyphora missouriensis'' subsp. ''asperispina''		** [[Pelecyphora missouriensis subsp. asperispina]]

	* ''Pelecyphora robbinsorum''		* [[Pelecyphora robbinsorum]]

	* ''Pelecyphora sneedii''		* [[Pelecyphora sneedii]]
	** ''Pelecyphora sneedii'' subsp. ''orcuttii''		** [[Pelecyphora sneedii subsp. orcuttii]]

	* ''Pelecyphora strobiliformis''		* [[Pelecyphora strobiliformis]]

	* ''Pelecyphora tuberculosa''		* [[Pelecyphora tuberculosa]]

	* ''Pelecyphora vivipara''		* [[Pelecyphora vivipara]]

	* ''Pelecyphora zilziana''		* [[Pelecyphora zilziana]]

	== Habitat ==		== Habitat ==
	Species occur in arid and semi-arid environments, on limestone, sandy or rocky soils, often in grasslands, deserts or scrublands.		Species occur in arid and semi-arid environments, on limestone, sandy or rocky soils, often in grasslands, deserts or scrublands.

	~~Some species are highly cold-resistant and adapted to continental climates, while others are restricted to warm desert regions.~~		Altitude ranges from approximately 400 m up to over 3000 m.

	Altitude ~~range varies widely,~~ from ~~about~~ 400 m up to over 3000 m.

	== Distribution ==		== Distribution ==
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	== Comments ==		== Comments ==
	The expanded concept of ''Pelecyphora'' ~~reflects modern~~ phylogenetic ~~understanding and resolves the polyphyly of~~ ''Escobaria''.		The expanded concept of ''Pelecyphora'' resolves phylogenetic inconsistencies by including ''Escobaria'' within a single monophyletic genus.

	However~~, due to significant morphological diversity and long-standing taxonomic traditions~~, this treatment remains ~~debated among specialists~~.		However, this treatment remains under discussion, and alternative classifications are still in use.

	== References ==		== References ==
	* Aquino~~, D.~~ & Sánchez~~, D.~~ (2022)~~. Recircumscription of ''Pelecyphora''. PhytoKeys.~~		* Aquino & Sánchez (2022)
	* Anderson~~, E.F.~~ (2001)~~. The Cactus Family.~~		* Anderson (2001)
	* Hunt~~, D.~~ et al. (2006)~~. The New Cactus Lexicon.~~		* Hunt et al. (2006)

Badmin at 08:55, 18 April 2026

2026-04-18T08:55:12Z

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Badmin: Created page with "{{Taxobox | name = Pelecyphora | image = Pelecyphora_aselliformis.jpg | kingdom = Plantae | family = Cactaceae | subfamily = Cactoideae | tribe = Cacteae | genus = '''Pelecyphora''' | authority = Ehrenberg (1843) | notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). The genus is considered provisionally correct pending further phylogenetic clarification. }} == Etymology == The name means "bearing axes", referring to the characteristic axe-head shaped tubercles..."

2026-04-18T08:37:24Z

Created page with "{{Taxobox | name = Pelecyphora | image = Pelecyphora_aselliformis.jpg | kingdom = Plantae | family = Cactaceae | subfamily = Cactoideae | tribe = Cacteae | genus = '''Pelecyphora''' | authority = Ehrenberg (1843) | notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). The genus is considered provisionally correct pending further phylogenetic clarification. }} == Etymology == The name means "bearing axes", referring to the characteristic axe-head shaped tubercles..."

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{{Taxobox
| name = Pelecyphora
| image = Pelecyphora_aselliformis.jpg
| kingdom = [[Plantae]]
| family = [[Cactaceae]]
| subfamily = [[Cactoideae]]
| tribe = [[Cacteae]]
| genus = '''Pelecyphora'''
| authority = Ehrenberg (1843)
| notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). The genus is considered provisionally correct pending further phylogenetic clarification.
}}

== Etymology ==
The name means "bearing axes", referring to the characteristic axe-head shaped tubercles of the type species.

== Description ==
'''Pelecyphora''' is a genus of extremely reduced, geophytic cacti adapted to cryptic life at ground level.

* '''Habit''': Dwarf, solitary or clustering, flattened globose plants, often partially buried.
* '''Roots''': Spindle-shaped taproot.
* '''Stems''': Not ribbed; composed of spirally arranged tubercles.
* '''Tubercles''': Distinctive, often resembling axe heads (especially in ''P. aselliformis'').
* '''Areoles''': Rudimentary, dimorphic — spines produced on outer parts, flowers from tubercle bases.
* '''Spines''': Numerous and tiny (up to ~60 in ''P. aselliformis''), often pectinate.
* '''Flowers''': Diurnal, funnel- to bell-shaped, pink to magenta (rarely white), appearing near apex.
* '''Fruits''': Dry at maturity, quickly disintegrating.
* '''Seeds''': Small, brown, spoon-shaped (cochleariform), striate.

== Habitat ==
The genus grows almost completely hidden at ground level, often mimicking surrounding stones.

* Substrate: limestone, gravel
* Environment: rocky hills, xeric habitats
* Altitude: 1600–2200 m

== Distribution ==
* '''Mexico''': Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas

== Taxonomy ==
The genus ''Pelecyphora'' was established by Ehrenberg (1843).

Historically, the monotypic genus ''Encephalocarpus'' (''E. strobiliformis'') was merged into ''Pelecyphora'', forming the two-species concept used today.

Molecular studies (Butterworth & Wallace 2004; Crozier 2005; Bàrcenas et al. 2011) confirm that ''Pelecyphora'' is not closely related to ''Mammillaria'', but belongs within the ''Coryphantha'' clade.

A more recent phylogenetic study (Vázquez-Sánchez et al. 2013) suggests that ''Pelecyphora'' may form a broader lineage including some species currently placed in ''Escobaria'' (e.g. ''E. laredoi'', ''E. chihuahuensis'').

However, this interpretation lacks clear morphological support and may reflect genetic introgression or unresolved lineage divergence.

According to Joël Lodé (2015), the genus is accepted but considered '''provisionally correct''' pending further research.

== Species ==
Following the classification of Joël Lodé (2015).

* [[Pelecyphora aselliformis]]
* [[Pelecyphora strobiliformis]]

== Notes ==
* ''Pelecyphora'' is one of the most cryptic cactus genera.
* Shows strong morphological specialization for camouflage.
* Its phylogenetic position remains partially unresolved.
* Possible future expansion or restructuring depending on molecular data.

[[Category:Cactaceae]]
[[Category:Cactoideae]]
[[Category:Cacteae]]
[[Category:Pelecyphora]]